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Dr. Weed's Newsletter
Kava
Kava is a psychoactive beverage that has been used ceremonially for thousands of years by Pacific Islanders to induce a state of relaxation and tranquillity. It comes from the rhizome (root) of the pepper plant, Piper methysticum, which is found in Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Today Kava is used across the Pacific in both traditional ceremonies and informal social events. It has recently become available in Western nations where it is used primarily to promote relaxation.
Kava contains compounds called kavalactones which have been shown to help alleviate anxiety, relieve pain, relax muscles, and prevent convulsions.
Unlike many popular prescription drugs, Kava reduces anxiety but does not impair mental function or cause sedation. In a double-blind crossover study conducted in Switzerland, the effects of Kava on short-term memory were compared with those of the anti-anxiety and muscle relaxant drug Oxazepam. While the drug was found to impair short term memory, Kava actually improved it slightly.
Kava has also traditionally been used by Hawaiian folk healers as a treatment for asthma. In a 1993 article that appeared in the Hawaiian Medical Journal, the authors concluded that Kava does indeed have scientific merit when used for asthma. The authors suggested that more studies be performed to access Kava's potential role, as well as that of other traditional Hawaiian herbs, as an aid for asthma sufferers.
Kava has a long history of traditional use and appears to be very safe. Unlike its pharmaceutical counterparts, its side-effects appear to be mostly beneficial rather than harmful.
For example, it has been shown to have a slight anti-fungal activity and it helps protect the nerves from damage due to ischemia.
Kava's only drawback occurs only after very heavy use. High dosages have been known to cause a scaly eruption on the skin, a condition known as kava dermopathy. This condition was first observed among the Pacific natives by Captain James Cook. Fortunately, the dosages taken by most are not likely to cause a problem and the relatively benign condition is reversible.
Kava continues to occupy a central role in the everyday life of the Pacific islanders, although its role has been somewhat diminished by time and outside influence.
It appears that Kava has lost ground to alcohol in urban areas where a more cosmopolitan lifestyle has been adopted. It has been suggested by one author that Kava, which is relatively harmless, may be promoted to the urban Pacific Islanders as a healthier alternative to tobacco and alcohol use.
References
1. Norton SA, Ruze P. Kava dermopathy. J Am Acad Dermatol 1994; 31(1)89-97. (US)
2. Schmitz D, Zhang CL, Chatterjee SS, Heinemann U. Effects of methysticin on three different models of seizure like events studied in rat hippocampal and entorhinal cortex slices. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 1995; 351(4)348- 55. (Germany)
3. Münte TF, Heinze HJ, Matzke M, Steitz J. Effects of oxazepam and an extract of kava roots (Piper methysticum) on event-related potentials in a word recognition task. Neuropsychobiology 1993; 27(1):46-53. (Switzerland)
4. Hope BE, Massey DG, Fournier-Massey G. Hawaiian materia medica for asthma. Hawaii Med J 1993; 52(6)160-6. (US)
5. Locher CP, Burch MT, Mower HF, Berestecky J, Davis H, Van Poel B, Lasure A. Anti-microbial activity and anti-complement activity of extracts obtained from selected Hawaiian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 1995; 49(1):23-32. (Ireland)
6. Backhauss C, Krieglstein J. Extract of kava (Piper methysticum) and its methysticin constituents protect brain tissue against ischemic damage in rodents. Eur J Pharmacol 1992; 215(2-3)265-9. (Netherlands)
7. Singh YN. Kava: an overview. J Ethnopharmacol 1992; 37(1)13-45. (Switzerland)
8. Finau SA, Stanhope JM, Prior IA. Kava, alcohol and tobacco consumption among Tongans with urbanization. Soc Sci Med 1982; 16(1)35-41. (England)
My newsletter is free. It is for education and prevention only--not for diagnosis and treatment. drweed@a-better-way.com
If you have a persistent health problem seek the advice of a competent health care provider.
Permission to use this excerpt of Dr. Weed's newsletter was given by drweed@a-better-way.com.
